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Related Concept Videos

Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview01:20

Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview

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Atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample by analyzing the light emitted from excited atoms. In AES, atoms in a sample are excited to higher energy levels by thermal energy from high-temperature sources, such as plasma, arcs, or sparks. When these excited atoms return to lower energy states, they emit light at specific wavelengths characteristic of each element. The resulting atomic emission spectrum, which consists of...
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A scanning electron microscope (SEM) is used to study the surface features of a sample by using an electron beam that scans the sample surface in a two-dimensional manner. Typically, areas between ~1 centimeter to 5 micrometers in width can be imaged. SEM can be used to image bacteria, viruses, tissues as well as larger samples like insects. Conventional SEM gives a magnification ranging from 20X to 30,000X and spatial resolution of 50 to 100 nanometers.
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Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab01:29

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AES is a powerful analytical technique, especially effective when used with plasma sources, producing abundant spectra in characteristic emission lines. The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), in particular, yields superior quantitative analytical data due to its high stability, low noise, low background, and minimal interferences under optimal experimental conditions. However, newer air-operated microwave sources are emerging as promising alternatives that could be more cost-effective than...
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X-ray diffraction or XRD is an analytical tool that utilizes X-rays to study ordered structures such as crystalline organic and inorganic samples, polycrystalline materials, proteins, carbohydrates, and drugs.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 1, 2025

Cell Culture on Silicon Nitride Membranes and Cryopreparation for Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence Nano-analysis
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Probing Trace Elements in Human Tissues with Synchrotron Radiation.

Mihai R Gherase1, David E B Fleming2

  • 1Department of Physics, California State University, 5241 N. Maple Avenue, Fresno, CA 93740, USA.

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|November 9, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Synchrotron radiation techniques like X-ray fluorescence and absorption spectroscopy map trace elements in tissues. This helps understand elemental roles in diseases like Parkinson's and cancer.

Keywords:
X-ray absorption spectroscopyX-ray fluorescencebiological tissuesdiseasesmedicinesynchrotrontrace elements

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Area of Science:

  • Biomedical science
  • Materials science
  • Analytical chemistry

Background:

  • Synchrotron radiation is vital for analyzing trace elements in biological tissues.
  • Techniques like X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) offer high spatial resolution and chemical sensitivity.
  • These methods are crucial for understanding elemental distribution in both normal and pathological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the spatial distribution and chemical states of trace elements in animal and human tissues.
  • To correlate elemental profiles with biological functions and disease states.
  • To explore novel biological mechanisms involving trace elements in health and disease.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing synchrotron radiation to generate intense, focused X-ray beams.
  • Employing X-ray fluorescence (XRF) for elemental detection and mapping.
  • Applying X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) for chemical speciation analysis.
  • Generating 2D and 3D elemental distribution maps with micrometer resolution.

Main Results:

  • Demonstrated significant differences in metallic trace element distribution (e.g., iron, zinc, copper, lead) between normal and diseased human tissues.
  • Identified elemental imbalances linked to various diseases, including Parkinson's, cancer, osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis.
  • Revealed new insights into the spatial distribution and potential roles of trace elements in disease pathogenesis.

Conclusions:

  • Synchrotron-based elemental analysis provides critical insights into the etiology and progression of human diseases.
  • These techniques are instrumental in uncovering the biological roles of trace elements and their involvement in pathological processes.
  • This research bridges fundamental science with applied health and environmental studies, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of trace element research.